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More progress! As promised last week, I've added sounds and polished the GUI. First, here's the link to the IndieDB page, so you can find the new download:[/font][/color] [color=rgb(55,55,55)][font='Helvetica Neue']
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I've also added multiple captures with the one beam. Here's a screenshot:[/font][/color] [color=rgb(55,55,55)][font='Helvetica Neue']
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Based on feedback, I tweaked the beam so it stays down (capturing) for a moment. Here's another screenshot:[/font][/color] [color=rgb(55,55,55)][font='Helvetica Neue']
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Finally, I added difficulty settings in the new options menu, improved the scripts, and made a few minor changes in other areas.[/font][/color] [color=rgb(55,55,55)][font='Helvetica Neue']
Unfortunately, I've been having some trouble with animations I bought, so no progress on that front. I'm pursuing fixes and refunds, and will soon look for alternative suppliers.[/font][/color] [color=rgb(55,55,55)][font='Helvetica Neue']
Apart from that, the only things left to add to the game are other levels! The plan for this coming week is to add a tutorial level, a first level and possibly a final level. I have two other mid-range levels planned, plus some post-release holiday-themed levels.[/font][/color] [color=rgb(55,55,55)][font='Helvetica Neue']
As with last week's post, please post feedback comments here on my Gamedev.net developer journal or the IndieDB game pages.[/font][/color] [color=rgb(55,55,55)][font='Helvetica Neue']
Thanks to everybody who has tried the game and provided feedback. It's great to know people are enjoying my work![/font][/color]

The full version Training for Aliens: UFO is now available (free!) on Windows computers via IndieDB:

There's a new machinima intro, shown in the gameplay video: Click here to view the video on Indie DB.

And a few other changes. Thanks to everyone who tried the game and left comments!

I've released the game for free so lots of players can enjoy it. If you like the game, please let your friends know! If you share the link to the IndieDB page above/below, I'll be able to see how many people have tried the game. That's the only reward I get from this, apart from positive comments.

I'll be releasing further levels and patches over the coming months, so like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter for updates!

[color=rgb(51,51,51)][font='Helvetica Neue']It's a hard level! To catch the cars, you can't wait until you see them on screen.[/font][/color]

[color=rgb(51,51,51)][font='Helvetica Neue']I've also added a tutorial level and tweaked a few things.[/font][/color]

[color=rgb(51,51,51)][font='Helvetica Neue']Please post any feedback here on my developer journal or on the IndieDB pages during the week and I'll include any changes in the release version next weekend. Here's the link again:[/font][/color]

[color=rgb(51,51,51)][font='Helvetica Neue']Thank you so much to the testers who have provided feedback so far! It's a better game thanks to your input.[/font][/color]

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First, the game outline: like the arcade claw crane games, but the player is an alien in a UFO, trying to abduct pedestrians.[/font][/color]

[color=rgb(51,51,51)][font='Helvetica Neue']Second: the screenshot of the background/set for the game:[/font][/color]

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[color=rgb(51,51,51)][font='Helvetica Neue']I haven't come up with a name for the game yet, but I have ideas for a full series of mini-games based on training for aliens. The idea was inspired by Pixar's short film, Lifted (YouTube) and a few simple video games I played when I was a kid.[/font][/color]

[color=rgb(51,51,51)][font='Helvetica Neue']I'm using Unity which is unbelievably easy to use, especially compared to coding in C++ with DirectX. The animation system looks like the most complicated part, but the user manual is very clear. I'll worry about that when I get to animating the pedestrians.[/font][/color]

[color=rgb(51,51,51)][font='Helvetica Neue']Minor problem: I can't think up names. At least ones that aren't already taken. No names for the game, no name for the alien race or their home planet... even my game studio name is based on a hobby project of mine. I'll need suggestions from readers, playtesters, friends and family.[/font][/color]

[color=rgb(51,51,51)][font='Helvetica Neue']Next on my to-do list: Adding in the UFO, hooking it up to player controls, and then doing fancy graphical things with the beam.[/font][/color]

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Recipe for game development success: I'm a tax accountant, it's busy season, and my wife is 5.5 months pregnant with our first child. Oh, and I'm studying. Wait, did I say 'success'?[/font][/color] [color=rgb(55,55,55)][font='Helvetica Neue']
A little about me and game development: Apart from a few simple games in BASIC or C++, most of my decade of experience has been as a contributor, reviewer and/or administrator of Ancient Anguish, a text-based MUD. There were a number of very helpful and patient people who taught me how to code, and a number of brilliant programmers whose work I learned from.[/font][/color] [color=rgb(55,55,55)][font='Helvetica Neue']
Unfortunately, the lack of graphics in Ancient Anguish made it really hard to explain to friends and family what I spent all my time on, despite my assurances that a lot of players enjoyed my work. Also, graphics should present more of an intellectual challenge, and I like intellectual challenges.[/font][/color] [color=rgb(55,55,55)][font='Helvetica Neue']
So, I'm working on my first 3D-graphics game. The goal is to launch a game properly, get it on Steam and have at least a few hundred players.[/font][/color] [color=rgb(55,55,55)][font='Helvetica Neue']
Progress so far: After actually doing some work on the game I created BensBucketGames.com, tied it to Facebook and Twitter, and started a developer blog on GameDev.net. I'll talk about the game more in my next post and include some screenshots.[/font][/color] [color=rgb(55,55,55)][font='Helvetica Neue']
There is lots left to do on the website. But! It's important to actually Get Things Done, so I'm going to balance 'studio stuff' with actual work on the game.[/font][/color] [color=rgb(55,55,55)][font='Helvetica Neue']
Wish me luck![/font][/color]

If you find any bugs or issues, let me know:
what happened
how to replicate it, and
some specifications for your PC and monitor (just in case that matters).

Use comments here on my developer journal or on IndieDB. I'll make changes based on tester feedback, as well as a few more improvements, and then upload a fresh build on the weekends.

I still need to put in more variety in victim movement animations, some sounds, and polish the main menu and closing screens. I also have plans for a number of levels, each with slightly different gameplay.

It's exciting how quickly I can create the game using Unity. I'm hoping to release it by the end of this month!

A quick progress update. As promised in my last entry: a UFO, which the player can move left/right, with a semi-fancy beam. I'll try to get a screen recording for my next entry, but for now here's a screenshot:

It's not polished yet and I'll probably need Unity Pro to get the effects that I want (e.g. glow), but I'm trying to get a working version of the gameplay running first. Also put off for the polishing stage is a fancier GUI.

Next on the agenda: add moving victims on the footpath and make the beam capture them. I might also tackle animations, or the models might just move in t-pose!